Manager - Location Research

Michaels Stores•Irving, TX

About The Position

The Manager - Location Research supports real estate strategies for new and existing stores through advanced analytical methods, internal and external data, market research, industry trends, and spatial analytics, as well as communicating macroeconomic trends within the retail industry. This position will partner with key internal groups to measure and report on real estate strategic projects, competitive intelligence, existing store trends, and new store performance. Major Activities Real Estate Research and Analysis Conduct site selection analytics for new stores, relocations, and evaluation of the existing store fleet as candidates for renovation or other store-level strategic initiatives. Manage and maintain GIS platform, internal and external data, and the development and maintenance of sales forecasting and spatial analytic models. Maintain strategic partnerships with Real Estate deal makers, Operations, Store Planning, Construction, and Finance to provide a uniform sales forecasting methodology for the company. Manage external data and system vendor/partner relationships for Real Estate Research analytical systems. Real Estate Strategy and Market Planning Analyze the company's existing real estate portfolio to identify opportunities for optimization and cost savings in collaboration with Real Estate deal makers, Finance, Store Planning, and Store Operations. Support multi-year real estate market planning process that incorporates growth of new stores, recommendations for capital investment, and disposition of existing stores. Monitor market trends and industry dynamics to adapt the real estate strategy and concepts relating to fleet footprint, size formats, and competitor intelligence. Real Estate Committee Process Coordinate the preparation of real estate packages for Real Estate Committee (REC). Maintain REC package standards and data repository for REC results. Serve as subject matter expert for data research and evaluation related to market and trade area characteristics, demographics, growth trends, sales potential, etc. Reporting and Performance Analysis Prepare regular hind sighting reports on new store performance. Analyze existing and new store data, metrics, and systems to identify analytical areas for improvement. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Experience in developing market strategies, evaluating potential sites, and aligning and standardizing analytical methodologies.
General knowledge of retail financial and operational principles and theory with the ability to link strategy to financial plans.
Excellent quantitative, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills are required.
Excellent verbal & written communication and interpersonal skills required.
Must work well on teams & relate well to people at all levels of the company.
7-8 years of experience in location strategy, spatial analytics, statistics, GIS, retail strategy, or related field
3+ years of management/leadership experience
Strong systems aptitude; Expertise in Excel, proficient in Word, PowerPoint & GIS platforms
Project management experience.
Problem solver with the ability to manage dynamic priorities

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in GIS, Geography, Location Research, Analytics, Strategy, Finance, or a related field preferred
Kalibrate/Trade Area Systems Experience
Reporting or business intelligence tools (e.g., QuickBase, Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx)

Responsibilities

Real Estate Research and Analysis Conduct site selection analytics for new stores, relocations, and evaluation of the existing store fleet as candidates for renovation or other store-level strategic initiatives.
Manage and maintain GIS platform, internal and external data, and the development and maintenance of sales forecasting and spatial analytic models.
Maintain strategic partnerships with Real Estate deal makers, Operations, Store Planning, Construction, and Finance to provide a uniform sales forecasting methodology for the company.
Manage external data and system vendor/partner relationships for Real Estate Research analytical systems.
Real Estate Strategy and Market Planning Analyze the company's existing real estate portfolio to identify opportunities for optimization and cost savings in collaboration with Real Estate deal makers, Finance, Store Planning, and Store Operations.
Support multi-year real estate market planning process that incorporates growth of new stores, recommendations for capital investment, and disposition of existing stores.
Monitor market trends and industry dynamics to adapt the real estate strategy and concepts relating to fleet footprint, size formats, and competitor intelligence.
Real Estate Committee Process Coordinate the preparation of real estate packages for Real Estate Committee (REC).
Maintain REC package standards and data repository for REC results.
Serve as subject matter expert for data research and evaluation related to market and trade area characteristics, demographics, growth trends, sales potential, etc.
Reporting and Performance Analysis Prepare regular hind sighting reports on new store performance.
Analyze existing and new store data, metrics, and systems to identify analytical areas for improvement.
Other duties as assigned